:: Top 10 Ways to Be a Good Roommate

:: Use a Roommate/Co-Tenant Agreement 

You can write up your own roommate/co-tenant agreement. We also provide a sample roommate/co-tenant agreement. All tenants should sign the agreement, receive a copy of it, and abide by it. The aim of this document is to help you to have a group living experience that is free of discord and unpleasant surprises. In the worst case, such a document can have legal value if serious violations occur and a visit to court is required. We also provide a roommate questionnaire and Top 10 Ways to Be a Good Roommate to help clarify what potential roommates may expect in a living situation.

:: Resolving Conflicts 

Living together with your friends can be very different from hanging out with them, even if you've known them for a long time. Remember to keep the lines of communication open between all roommates and, if conflicts arise, it is best to keep calm and diplomatic. Problems are best resolved with tact and honesty so that no one is offended and a new level of cooperation can be reached.

Common problems among roommates may include paying bills, cleaning, having guests over, violation of quiet hours, and wanting to leave the apartment and move somewhere else. If you have a Roommate/Co-Tenant Agreement, many of these issues will be covered and, hopefully, the problem roommate will live up to what he or she promised. If you do not have a written agreement, now would be a good time to call a meeting of your group. All problems should be discussed openly and sensitively without name-calling or rancor. Usually, a conclusion can be reached with compromise. You should also take this opportunity to come up with a formal roommate/co-tenant agreement.

If this doesn't work and the problem is serious, then consider other options. The landlord may be able to handle problems such as violations of the lease, e.g., a roommate brings a pet into the apartment when your lease prohibits pets. If there are problems of a legal nature, our office can give you advice. If you experience physical threats or violence, call the police. This can be a difficult decision if you are close to the person, have no place to go, or are afraid of the possible consequences. Please contact our office if you would like to talk to someone about these issues and your options.

:: When Fellow Tenants Violate Lease Terms 

If a tenant is violating any part of the lease, bring it to his or her attention. If the tenant persists in the lease violation, call a group meeting. Discuss the issue and try to come to an acceptable resolution of the matter. All tenants should understand that their actions could cost them time and money, especially if the problem results in a court action.

Remember, all tenants signed the lease. This (generally) makes each tenant individually and jointly responsible for every legal provision in the lease. One person's violation of the lease is the responsibility of all the tenants. If one fails to pay the rent, the whole group is in default - unless the other tenants pay the difference.

If the problem continues, there are several choices. You can contact our office for more information.  Depending upon the seriousness of the violation and the nature of your relationship, you may want to speak to the landlord about the matter. Some landlords will help you exert pressure on the offending party.